Occurs in grasslands, semi-desert and desert; more likely to be found living on soils with a firmer substrate than P. roborovskii. Burrows (4-6 vertical entrances) lead to a nest chamber as deep as 1 m (but normally shallower) and food caches of seeds. May occupy burrows of Meriones, rather than digging their own. Diet primarily seeds and plants, but known to consume insects. Nocturnal or crepuscular; do not hibernate. Breeds from April-October, producing 3-4 litters of 4-8 young following a 20-22 day gestation period. Juveniles may become reproductively active in their first year.

Habitat degradation may be resulting through grazing by increasing numbers of livestock. Drying of water sources and droughts also threaten this species, although it remains unclear if these represent natural environmental changes or are driven by anthropogenic activity. These are not major threats to the species at present.